Izzy Brown could have been a West Bromwich great and gone on to become a £40 million player, but moving to Chelsea three years ago may mean that never happens, according to the head of Albion's academy .

Brown, 19, is currently plying his trade on loan at Rotherham United, having so far failed to make a mark in West London.

But for Steve Hopcroft, youth boss for the Baggies, the talented youngster is still the one who got away.

Speaking to BBC, he said: "It might turn out a correct decision. At the moment it doesn't look a great decision.

"I absolutely loved izy Brown. I thought he was the best of all the players that have left here.

"He could have gone on to play a similar number of games as Saido Berahino. he could have made his 100th appearance for West Brom and be in a better position than he is now."

The England Under-19 international became one of the youngest ever Premier League players when he made his debut for the Baggies in 2013, but he has only made one appearance for Chelsea to date, having spent last year on loan with Vitesse in the Eredivisie.

Hopcroft told te news provider: "He made a decision and his parents made a decision that West Brom wasn't for them at the time. I wasn't party to it, but I know really good offers were made.